Editor's note: The print edition and earlier online editions of this story included The Catwalk National Recreation Trail in the Daytrip bracket. Most of the Catwalk trail was closed in the summer of 2012 because of increased flooding dangers due to the Whitewater-Baldy Complex Fire. The Whitewater picnic area at the trailhead, as well as the first half-mile of the trail, remains open. There is no fee to use the day-use area while the trail is closed. A new item — Mineral Creek Trail — has been added to the Daytrips Bracket.

March is a month for getting out of the house, highlighted by spring break March 24 through 28 for NMSU and the Las Cruces Public Schools. Maybe you don't have plans to go anywhere special, but you can still get out of the house for an afternoon, a daytrip or a weekend and visit one (or more) of a number of relaxing or fun destinations within a four-hour drive of Las Cruces. (With gas prices climbing higher every day, how can you afford to drive any farther?)

In the spirit of NCAA basketball's March Madness, we've provided 64 destination ideas. This list is merely a starter guide — you'll probably need to Google these destinations for directions and more information.

We've broken down the destinations into four brackets - Outdoors (near Las Cruces), Daytrips (outdoors, more than 50 miles from Las Cruces), Discovery (museums and historical venues) and Entertainment (fun and food).

6. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument — Surrounded by the Gila National Forest, the dwellings offer a glimpse into the live of the Mogollon people who lived there 700 years ago. Fees: $3 individual, $10 per family.

7. Guadalupe Mountains National Park — A West Texas oasis, this park on the southern route to Carlsbad boasts the highest point in Texas (El Capitan), plenty of hiking trails and camping spots. Entrance fee is $5 for adults 16 and older.

8. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site — Located northeast of El Paso, take a pictograph tour, bouldering and hiking tour or a birding tour. $7 per person 13 and older; $12-$16 camping fee.

9. Mineral Creek Trail — Follow Mineral Creek in the Gila National Forest to Cooney's tomb. Beautiful area, lots of history, strenuous hike. Trailhead is in small town of Alma near Glenwood. No fee.

10. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — A park at the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains near Alamogordo. $5 per vehicle day-use fee, $8-$10 camping fee.

12. Rockhound State Park — In the Florida Mountains near Deming, this park offers hiking trails by day and clear night skies by night. $5 per vehicle day-use fee, $8-$10 camping fee.

13. Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area — An oasis of waterfalls and cool pools about an hour west of Carlsbad. $5 per vehicle. Open for day-use Friday through Monday.

14. Trestle Recreation Area Trail System — Near Cloudcroft, there are a series of moderate, short (under 1.5 miles) trails connected to the recently renovated Mexican Canyon trestle. Great views. No fee.

15. White Sands National Monument — Play in these natural gypsum dunes, which have engulfed 275 square miles of land. Go on a Sunset Stroll for unique perspectives. $3 per person 15 and older.

16. White Mountain Wilderness Area — Comprising 50,000 acres in Lincoln National Forest near Ruidoso, find eight hiking trails of various skill levels and plenty of campgrounds. No fees.

3. Lincoln — A town that time forgot, about 20 miles east of Capitan, visit the Lincoln County Courthouse where Billy the Kid made a famous escape. $5 pass grants access to all historic buildings in Lincoln.

4. Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum — This Las Cruces museum brings to life the 3,000-year history of farming and ranching in the state. $4, kids 4 and under free.

5. Fort Selden State Monument — Find out about military life in the 1800s at Fort Selden in Radium Springs. $3 adults, free to state residents on Sundays.

6. Las Cruces Museum of Nature and Science — Look up to the stars, look out to the desert, look down to see ancient fossils. Great for kids. No fee.

7. Las Cruces Railroad Museum — In a depot along the railroad tracks, find out about the town's railroad history and impact. Family Game Day is at 10 a.m. Saturday. No fee.

8. Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park — This indoor/outdoor living museum in Carlsbad offers many faces of the Chihuahuan Desert. $5 adults, $3 ages 7-12.

9. New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science — Meet New Mexico's giant dinosaurs, walk through a volcano or explore the solar system at this Albuquerque destination. $7 adults, $4 ages 3-12 for museum; $10/$6 for DynaTheater.

10. New Mexico Museum of Space History — Learn about the history, science and technology of space in Alamogordo. Watch the planetarium show, "Hubble" or "Air Racers" in the IMAX theater. $10 adults, $7 ages 4-12.

11. Smokey Bear Museum — The spokesperson for fire prevention was once a cub saved from a fire in the forests near Capitan, which is where you'll find this one-room building. No fee.

12. UFO Museum — Was it a flying saucer? Was it a weather balloon? This Roswell destination may have the answers. $5 adults, $2 ages 5-15.

13. Very Large Array — Located 50 miles west of Soccoro is one of the world's premier astronomical radio observatories. The visitor's center is open every day from 8:30 a.m. to dusk. No fee.

14. War Eagles Air Museum — See historic aircraft of the World War II and the Korean Conflict eras in this Santa Teresa museum. Open every day but Mondays. $5 adults.

15. White Sands Missile Range Musuem — Trace the origin of America's missile and space activity and browse through the missile park outside. Open every day but Sunday. No fee.

16. Zoos — Alamogordo's Alameda Park Zoo is the oldest and smallest in the southwest with entry fees of $1.50 to $2.50; El Paso's Zoo is home to more than 200 species with entry fees of $6 to $10.

ENTERTAINMENT BRACKET

These destinations are all about food or fun, or both.

1. 10 Pin Alley — Enjoy Las Cruces' only bowling alley for $23 an hour or $34 for two hours (includes shoes) per lane. Rock N Bowl on Fridays and Saturdays is $100 per lane from 9 to 11 p.m. or $72 per lane from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.

2. Adventure Zone and Bob-Os — Grab the kids and go for go-karts, bumper boats, miniature golf, arcade, laser tag and more at these El Paso family fun centers. Expect to spend about $25 per kid.

3. Buckhorn Saloon & Opera House — This historic tavern in Pinos Altos includes fine dining and live entertainment on the weekends. Say hi to Joe (always at the bar) and stay at the nearby Bear Creek Cabins.

4. Hot springs — There are several locations offering mineral baths in Truth or Consequences. Visit spa-town.com for information.

5. Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino — One of the premiere resorts in the state is located just outside of Ruidoso. There's plenty to do, including gaming, golf and entertainment.

7. McGinn's Pistachio Tree Ranch — See the World's Largest Pistachio, sample wine at Arena Blanca Winery or purchase a variety of pistachio candies or flavored pistachios at this store between Tularosa and Alamogordo.

8. Mesilla Plaza — Galleries, shops, historical buildings and restaurants surround this southern New Mexico landmark. Enjoy a Chile 'Rita at La Posta for $7.50, or a movie at the historic Fountain Theatre for $7.

10. The Owl Bar and the Buckhorn Tavern — Which one of these San Antonio pubs, located across the street from each other, serves the best green chile cheeseburger in the state? We can't decide, they're both so good.

11. Ruidoso — This mountain community includes plenty of unique shopping and dining opportunities in Midtown. Stay in a cabin for a fun overnight getaway.

13. Sparky's — Whether you like burgers, barbecue or the blues, this Hatch restaurant and venue has it all. There's live music every Saturday and Sunday in March.

14. Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino — Live horse racing Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays and a large array of slot machines inside. The Sunland Derby is March 24.

15. Wineries — Red or white? According to nmwine.com, there are 24 wineries and wine tasting rooms in southern New Mexico where you can find out which you prefer.

16. Wyler Aerial Tramway — Did you know there's a tram in the Franklin Mountains surrounding El Paso? At the top, see 7,000 square miles encompassing three states and two nations. $8 adults, $4 12 and under.

Pulse Editor Lucas Peerman can be reached at (575) 541-5446; on Twitter @LittleGuyInATie